Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1887-09-09
A GOOD CATCH,
BY Emily LENNON.

BY EMILY LENNON.
''Mr. Ainsley Arbuthnot" was the
maine beautifully engraved on the te-
CANT visiting card which servant pre-
sented to Evelyn Ogden, as she stood
before tall pier-glass, admiring the
sweep of her white satin tram, and the
wave of her glossy black hair
"You are ready, | suppose, SybilT"
she asked, with a disdainfu glance at
her shy little cousin, whose modest toll
cite of wine-colored cashmere hardly
suited Miss Evclyn's elaborate taste.
ooh, yes" sybil answered, promptly.
II have been ready for some time"
"Why don't you put some white lace
around your ncckI' Evelyn asked criti-
cally. "You look so-oh, so plain"
She was going to say "countryfed,
but repented of that and amended her
speech.
81 haven't any lace sybil said,
frankly
"Ill lend you my fichu, F." said Evelyn,
less in a spirit of generosity than in
wish to have Sybil look scmi-respect-
able.
"Thanks," was the gentle reply, "but
would rather not borrow any fine
feathers, Evelyn, dear. Don't mind me-
couldn't look anything but plain if l
tried, and it will suit me better to creep
into quiet corner where no one will
see me. l can enjoy your triumphs,
cousin, for I am sure you will have them.
You look beautiful tonight. . -
'Do you think sos" said Evelyn, With
a conscious glance toward the mirror.
Il am glad this dress is so becoming
Mr.. Arbuthnot adores white"
81 almost wish / hadn't said l would
60" observed Sybil, looking down at
her own plain dress. Il am afraid |
shall disgrace you, Evelyn l don't even
know how to behave, for never heard
of progressive-angling party before"
ooh, it's simple enough, said Evelyn,
buttoning her long gloves 'There
will be lot Of tubs, or punch bowls,
probably and we will all have gilt fish
ing rods and lines, with hooks on them.
The fish are hollow and have prizes in
side We all fish for them, and nobody
knows what he is going to get till the
fish are opened. There is to be a gold
ring in one tonight, they say. 1t will
be like wedding cake But you needn't
worry, Sybil; I'll tell you what to do"
Sybil was not worrying She was
perfectly quiet in fact, so much so, that
Evelyn fancied her brilliant escort would
not be at all pleased with this unex-
pected addition to their party.
Sybil had come to the city to try and
get position as teacher, aud Evelyn
did not fancy taking her out in society;
but Mr. Ogden had tender feeling for
his sisters child and commanded his
daughter to show her all the honors due
to distinguished guest
'My cousin, Miss Weir, Mr.. Arbuth-
not said Evelyn, presenting Svbil to
the gentleman who awaited them in the
parlor.
Ainslcy Arbuthnots keen eyes had
swept in an instant over the white satin
gown, with the mental observation:
"Oycrdrcssed"
They rested now upon the slander,
little figure in the soft, rich-colored
cashmere, and they lighted with genuine
admiration.
81 am pleased to make your acquaint-
,nce, Miss Welr, he said, with that
quiet yet impressive manner which is
such valuable gift
Sybil murmured something, but her
cyelids fell before that magnetic
glance.
How handsome he was, and how per
fec'ly self-possessed! 1t was no wonder
that Evelyn was always talking about
Aihsley Arbuthnot.
He was rich, too, they said though
Sybil thought very little about wealth,
save as some far-away thing which she
would probably never possess in all her
lifetime.
The progressive angling went on at
Mrs. Bayard's house. where Sybil felt as
though she were in fairy-land, among
flowers and fragrance, and parti-coored
lights, that shone on a crowd of elegant
addressed men and women, who moved
about in scene of rare beauty and
splendor
"Must I fish too2" sybil asked,
nervously, as she looked shyly at the
superb cut-glass bowls, in which arti-
fetal goldfish were swimming in per
fumed water. Il would rather not
Don't be afraid" said Arbuthnot,
kindly They all make botches Of it. "
aren't you going to fish, Arbuth-
notl' called out an exquisite youth, who
wore primrose and an eye-glass. ats
no end of a lark, pon honor! It's such
fun to see those stupid little tin things
wriggleP